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Turning 18 is a big deal in New Zealand. Once you're 18, you can drink, vote, smoke, buy scratchies, place bets at the TAB or use pokies.

At 17, you can't legally do any of those - but you can be tried in court as an adult.

New Children's Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft has launched a campaign to persuade Cabinet ministers to raise the upper age limit for the Youth Court from 17 to 18. To me, that is sensible. At 18, you still have your whole life ahead of you.

Yes, you should know right from wrong by that age but a silly, spur of the moment decision which could see you charged and dealt with in court is likely to do more damage than good in the longer term.